Rain failed to arrive in time to save Australia as it capitulated to an innings defeat against England, its first in 24 years. The tourists required just 20 overs on the final day to skittle the remaining six Australian wickets and close out a resounding victory. 

Graeme Swann justified his reputation with 5/91 as Australia collapsed from 4/261 to 304 all out; defeated by an innings and 71 runs. 

Weather was always going to be a factor on a fraught day in Adelaide with few forecasts predicting more than four hours of play. Not that England was fazed. Bowling to the plans that have succeeded throughout this early part of the series, it took them just half an hour to make the first breakthrough and an hour more to wrap things up. 

After Swann had created chances with the old ball against both Marcus North and Mike Hussey, Andrew Strauss surprisingly opted to take the new ball after just three overs. Shorn of the injured Stuart Broad, Steve Finn shared the cherry with James Anderson and quickly forced a false shot from Mike Hussey, Australia's main hope mistiming a pull and lobbing a simple catch to James Anderson at mid-on. 

With the first of the required six in the bag, England went in for the kill. 

Haddin lasted just twenty minutes before he was caught at the wicket nicking a superb Anderson outswinger for 12. Ryan Harris could not survive the next ball, suffering the ignominy of a king pair after shouldering arms, this time to an Anderson inswinger and being charged LBW. 

Two in two became three in four as Graeme Swann accounted for Marcus North in the next over. After being denied his LBW appeal, Swann referred the decision for the third umpire to examine. Billy Doctrove was presented with a ball destined for the middle of middle, pitching in line and hitting pad first. North had to go - for 22 - with his side sliding to 8/286 and the last rites being administered. 

The carnage continued apace as Xavier Doherty went shortly afterwards, bowled through the gate by Swann for 5 before Peter Siddle saw his defences breached by another fizzing Swann turner. Game over.

 While more application could have saved Australia it would have been a Pyrrhic draw. England has outclassed its host in all facets of the game in Adelaide. Anderson is the most dangerous new-ball bowler, Swann the most penetrative with the old. England's fielding is also superior, as is its captaincy. The batting should be closer but England has five of its top six in form, Australia just one. 

Both sides will be forced into changes before the third Test in Perth. 

Stuart Broad has been ruled out of the rest of the series with an abdominal strain. Chris Tremlett, Ajmal Shahzad and Tim Bresnan will compete in a bowl-off against Victoria later this week to decide who takes his place. Bresnan would be the conservative choice as he could replace Broad's lower-order batting. Shahzad would be the bolter but his reverse swing could prove a valuable weapon if the Perth pitch appears abrasive. Tremlett is the most likely though as his height and hustle is most similar to the man being replaced and his form in the previous tour trial was the best of the three. 

For Australia, Simon Katich has been ruled out of the rest of the series with a torn Achilles. Phil Hughes would be the obvious replacement but at this stage of a calamitous series anything is possible. 

Xavier Doherty and Marcus North should also drop out while Doug Bollinger's fitness is also a concern. Needless to say, the National Selection Panel has a massive job on its hands this week. Australia has been outplayed for eight consecutive days of cricket and things will have to change. 

The view from Australia

To summarise: disaster. Out-bowled, out-batted, out-thought. Big players underperformed while outsiders did not justify their inclusions. Australia now has a week in which to regroup, during which Tim Nielsen and Ricky Ponting need to work hard to keep spirits up. 

The NSP's decisions for the squad for the Third Test will shape the rest of the summer. If it gets it wrong, the consequences could be humiliating. 

The view from England

To summarise: euphoria. This is the performance and the result that vindicates England's planning, preparation and confidence. Only Paul Collingwood looks below-par as those around him look at home on the most difficult of stages. 

England's only danger is dropping its intensity. However, with such a focussed coach and captain this seems unlikely. As England's XI celebrated in the Adelaide sheds, its reserve seamers began their auditions for Perth on the square. This is a fit, focussed, tight England group and they look unlikely to let Australia off the leash anytime soon. 

Hero

Graeme Swann. He was always going to be either the hero or villain on a day in which he was expected to win the match for his country. Defending a huge total on a fifth day wearing wicket Swann produced the goods, taking five Australian wickets and securing victory for England. 

Villain

This is probably harsh considering his wicket fell yesterday but Michael Clarke will be bitterly disappointed not to have been in to face the new ball this morning. His dismissal changed the tempo of the match and swung the momentum firmly England's way. His 80 showed he can still make runs when clearly out of form but he was one over short of doing what his side so desperately needed. 

I'm not sure anyone else noticed but...

Channel Nine's analysts named about 30 possible contenders for the squad for Perth. Aside from the original 17, Phil Hughes, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Cameron White, Mark Cameron and more besides were all thrown up as possibilities for inclusion. Crisis? What crisis? 

What's next?

Much will depend on the decisions of the National Selection Panel. Is it time for an overhaul? Should the current squad be given more time? Should Ricky be replaced? If now is not the time to panic, when is? 

England has a three-day game against Victoria to decide who replaces Stuart Broad. Australia could do with a few favours, in particular some spite form Shane Harwood to ruffle a few English feathers. 

Close Day 5 

Australia 245 & 306

England 5/620 dec 

TAB Sportsbet series odds

Australia $6.00, Draw $4.50, England $1.40